Collapsible backrest

ABSTRACT

A collapsible backrest comprises a frame, at least one leg connected to the frame, and a webbing connected to the frame. The frame includes a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are spaced apart and the webbing is connected to and extends between the first frame member and the second frame member. The third frame member is hingedly connected to the first frame member, and the third frame member is releasably connected to the second frame member. The fourth frame member is hingedly connected to the second frame member, and the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a backrest and, in particular, to acollapsible backrest which is moveable between a collapsed configurationand an extended configuration.

Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 1,363,697 which issued on Dec. 28, 1920, in the name ofVieira discloses a folding, or collapsible, backrest for use on lawns,beaches and the like. The collapsible backrest comprises a back frameincluding a pair of spaced supporting members and canvas webbing forthese members. There is a supporting frame including a pair of spacedbrace bars and cross braces secured to the brace bars. The cross bracesinclude a pair of hingedly connected sections having their terminalshingedly secured to the first mentioned brace bars. Hingedly connectedlinks are pivotally secured to the back and brace frames, adjacent thelower ends thereof. The upper terminals of the supporting member andbrace bars have their edges beveled downwardly at an angle of forty-fivedegrees.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,382 which issued on Jun. 15, 1965, in the name ofFortier discloses a collapsible backrest comprising the combination of apair of channel members, each having two ends, and an outer and innertelescopic rods in each of the channel members. The outer of each of thetelescoping rods is mounted to pivot at one end of the respectivechannel member. The telescopic rods of one channel member have no directrigid connection with the telescoping rods of the other channel member.A flexible membrane is carried by the telescoping rods to form the soledirect connection between said rods as well as the only support contactwith the back of a user of the backrest. There is a foldable crossbracing structure fixed to the channel members for holding the channelmembers distal from each other.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided a collapsible backrest which is moveable between anextended configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsiblebackrest comprises a frame, at least one leg connected to the frame, anda webbing connected to the frame. The frame includes a first framemember, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth framemember. The first frame member and the second frame member are spacedapart and the webbing is connected to and extends between the firstframe member and the second frame member. The third frame member ishingedly connected to the first frame member, and the third frame memberis releasably connected to the second frame member. The fourth framemember is hingedly connected to the second frame member, and the fourthframe member is releasably connected to the first frame member.

The third frame member may be movable between a position in which thethird frame member is substantially perpendicular to the first framemember and a position in which the third frame member is substantiallyparallel to the first frame member. The fourth frame member is movablebetween a position in which the fourth frame member is substantiallyperpendicular to the second frame member and a position in which thefourth frame member is substantially parallel to the second framemember. The third frame member may be releasably connected to the firstframe member by a tongue and groove connection. The fourth frame membermay be releasably connected to the second frame member by a tongue andgroove connection. There may be a first leg pivotably connected to thefirst frame member and there may be a second leg pivotably connected tothe second frame member. The first leg may be pivotable between aposition in which the first leg extends angularly from the first framemember and a position in which the first leg extends substantiallyparallel to the first frame member. The second leg may be pivotablebetween a position in which the second leg extends angularly from thesecond frame member and a position in which the second leg extendssubstantially parallel to the second frame member. There may be a firststrap extending between the first leg and the first frame member andthere may be a second strap extending between the second leg and thesecond frame member. The webbing may be releasably connected to thefirst frame member and the webbing may be releasably connected to thesecond frame member. There may be a handle to allow a user to carry thecollapsible backrest when the collapsible backrest is in the collapsedconfiguration. There may be a strap to maintain the collapsible backrestin the collapsed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, side perspective view of a backrest in an extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the backrest in the extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a hinged connection ofthe frame of the backrest;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a releasable connectionof the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing another hinged connectionof the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing another releasableconnection of the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the backrest in a collapsedconfiguration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the backrest in a first intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the backrest in a second intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the backrest in a third intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the backrest in a fourth intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the backrest in a fifth intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the backrest in a sixth intermediateconfiguration as the backrest is being moved from the extendedconfiguration to the collapsed configuration.

DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 there is shown acollapsible backrest 10 which generally comprises a frame 12, a firstleg 14 and a second leg 16 connected to the frame 12, and a webbing 18connected to the frame 12. In this example, the webbing 18 is releasablyconnected to the frame 12 by snap connectors, for example, snapconnectors 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c. A portion 22 of the webbing 18 which isconnected to the frame 12 supports a back of a user when the backrest 10is being used. A portion 24 of the webbing 18 which extends from theframe 12 provides a ground covering for the user when the backrest 10 isbeing used.

The frame 12 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The frame 12 includesa first frame member 26, a second frame member 28, a third frame member30, and a fourth frame member 32. The first frame member 26 and thesecond frame member 28 are spaced apart and the webbing 18 is releasablyconnected to and extends between the first frame member 26 and thesecond frame member 28.

The third frame member 30 is hingedly connected to the first framemember 26, as best shown in FIG. 3, by a hinge 34. The third framemember 30 is releasably connected to the second frame member 28, as bestshown in FIG. 4, by a male-female connector which, in this example,includes a tongue 36 extending generally perpendicular from the thirdframe member 30 and a groove 38 defined by a channel bracket 40 mountedon the second frame member 28. The fourth frame member 32 is hingedlyconnected to the second frame member 28, as best shown in FIG. 5, by ahinge 42. The fourth frame member 32 is releasably connected to thefirst frame member 26, as best shown in FIG. 6, by a male-femaleconnector which, in this example, includes a tongue 44 extendinggenerally perpendicular from the fourth frame member 32 and a groove 46defined by a channel bracket 48 mounted on the first frame member 26. Itwill be understood by a person skilled in the art that, in otherexamples, other means to releasably connect the third frame member 30 tothe second frame member 28 and/or releasably connect the fourth framemember 32 to the first frame member 26 may be employed.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in this example, the first leg 14 is pivotablyconnected to the first frame member 26 by a first pivot pin 50, and thesecond leg 16 is pivotably connected to the second frame member 28 by asecond pivot pin 52. In this example, there is also a first strap 54which extends between the first leg 14 and the first frame member 26.Likewise, there is a second strap 56 which extends between the secondleg 16 and the second frame member 28. The first strap 54 and the secondstrap 56 may be adjustable straps which allow the first leg 14 and thesecond leg 16 to be set at respective desired angles relative to thefirst frame member 26 and the second frame member 28. This in turnallows the backrest 10 to be set at a desired angle.

The backrest 10 is moveable between an extended configuration, which isbest shown in FIG. 1, and a collapsed configuration which is best shownin FIG. 7. In this example, and as shown in FIG. 7, the backrest furtherincludes a handle 58 disposed on the second leg 16 to allow a user tocarry the backrest 10 when the backrest 10 is in the collapsedconfiguration. There is a strap 60 that may be employed to maintain thewebbing 18 in a folded configuration when the backrest 10 is in thecollapsed configuration. There is also a snap connector 20 d whichreleasably connects the webbing 18 to the second leg 16. The snapconnector 20 d also may be employed to maintain the webbing 18 in afolded configuration when the backrest 10 is in the collapsedconfiguration.

Movement of the backrest 10 from the extended configuration to thecollapsed configuration is shown in FIGS. 8 to 13. The backrest 10 isfirst turned over so the first leg 14 and the second leg 16 extendupwardly as shown in FIG. 8. The first leg 14 is then pivoted between aposition in which the first leg 14 extends angularly from the firstframe member 26, as shown in FIG. 8, and a position in which the firstleg 14 extends substantially parallel to the first frame member 26, asshown in FIG. 9. Likewise, the second leg 16 is pivoted between aposition in which the second leg 16 extends angularly from the secondframe member 28, as shown in FIG. 8, and a position in which the secondleg 16 extends substantially parallel to the second frame member 28, asshown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, the third frame member 30 is in a positionsubstantially perpendicular to the first frame member 26 and the fourthframe member 32 is in a position substantially perpendicular to thesecond frame member 28. The third frame member 30 is moved, as shown inFIG. 10, to a position in which the third frame member 30 issubstantially parallel to the first frame member 26, as shown in FIG.11, by pivoting the third frame member 30 towards the first frame member26. Pivoting the pivoting the third frame member 30 towards the firstframe member 26 also releases the third frame member 30 from the secondframe member 28. Likewise, the fourth frame member 32 is moved, as shownin FIG. 10, to a position in which the fourth frame member 32 issubstantially parallel to the second frame member 28, as shown in FIG.11, by pivoting the fourth frame member 32 towards the second framemember 28. The fourth frame member 32 is initially pivoted away from thesecond frame member 28 to release the fourth frame member 32 from thefirst frame member 26. The fourth frame member 32 is then arcuatelypivoted towards the second frame member 28 which allows the fourth framemember 32 to clear the third frame member 30. The webbing 18 may then befolded longitudinally, as shown in FIG. 12, until the backrest 10 islongitudinally compact as shown in FIG. 13. The webbing 18 may then befolded laterally so that the backrest 10 is in the compact positionshown in FIG. 7. It will be understood by a person skilled in the artthat the backrest is moved from the collapsed configuration to theextended configuration by employing the reverse movements.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of thedetails provided above are by way of example only, and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined withreference to the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible backrest which is moveable betweenan extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsiblebackrest comprising: a frame having a first frame member, a second framemember, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member; at least oneleg connected to the frame; and a webbing connected to the frame, thefirst frame member and the second frame member being spaced apart andthe webbing being connected to and extending between the first framemember and the second frame member, the third frame member beinghingedly connected to the first frame member and the third frame memberbeing releasably connected to the second frame member, and the fourthframe member being hingedly connected to the second frame member and thefourth frame member being releasably connected to the first framemember.
 2. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein thethird frame member is movable between a position in which the thirdframe member is substantially perpendicular to the first frame memberand a position in which the third frame member is substantially parallelto the first frame member.
 3. The collapsible backrest as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the fourth frame member is movable between a position inwhich the fourth frame member is substantially perpendicular to thesecond frame member and a position in which the fourth frame member issubstantially parallel to the second frame member.
 4. The collapsiblebackrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third frame member isreleasably connected to the first frame member by a tongue and grooveconnection.
 5. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe fourth frame member is releasably connected to the second framemember by a tongue and groove connection.
 6. The collapsible backrest asclaimed in claim 1 wherein there is a first leg pivotably connected tothe first frame member and a second leg pivotably connected to thesecond frame member.
 7. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 6wherein the first leg is pivotable between a position in which the firstleg extends angularly from the first frame member and a position inwhich the first leg extends substantially parallel to the first framemember, and the second leg is pivotable between a position in which thesecond leg extends angularly from the second frame member and a positionin which the second leg extends substantially parallel to the secondframe member.
 8. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 6 furtherincluding a first strap extending between the first leg and the firstframe member and a second strap extending between the second leg and thesecond frame member.
 9. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1wherein the webbing is releasably connected to the first frame memberand the webbing is releasably connected to the second frame member. 10.The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 further including ahandle to allow a user to carry the collapsible backrest when thecollapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.
 11. Thecollapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 further including a strap tomaintain the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration. 12.A collapsible backrest which is moveable between an extendedconfiguration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsible backrestcomprising: a frame having a first frame member, a second frame member,a third frame member, and a fourth frame member; at first leg pivotablyconnected to the first frame member and a second leg pivotably connectedto the second frame member, the first leg being pivotable between aposition in which the first leg extends angularly from the first framemember and a position in which the first leg extends substantiallyparallel to the first frame member, and the second leg being pivotablebetween a position in which the second leg extends angularly from thesecond frame member and a position in which the second leg extendssubstantially parallel to the second frame member; and a webbingconnected to the frame, the first frame member and the second framemember being spaced apart and the webbing being connected to andextending between the first frame member and the second frame member,the third frame member being hingedly connected to the first framemember and the third frame member being releasably connected to thesecond frame member such that the third frame member is movable betweena position in which the third frame member is substantiallyperpendicular to the first frame member and a position in which thethird frame member is substantially parallel to the first frame member,and the fourth frame member being hingedly connected to the second framemember and the fourth frame member being releasably connected to thefirst frame member such that the fourth frame member is movable betweena position in which the fourth frame member is substantiallyperpendicular to the second frame member and a position in which thefourth frame member is substantially parallel to the second framemember.
 13. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 wherein thethird frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member bya tongue and groove connection.
 14. The collapsible backrest as claimedin claim 12 wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected tothe second frame member by a tongue and groove connection.
 15. Thecollapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 further including a firststrap extending between the first leg and the first frame member and asecond strap extending between the second leg and the second framemember.
 16. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 wherein thewebbing is releasably connected to the first frame member and thewebbing is releasably connected to the second frame member.
 17. Thecollapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 further including a handleto allow a user to carry the collapsible backrest when the collapsiblebackrest is in the collapsed configuration.
 18. The collapsible backrestas claimed in claim 12 further including a strap to maintain thecollapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.